Apparatus for applying trim molding



March 20, 1945. c, L D T 2,372,097

APPARATUS FOR APPLING TRIM MOLDING Original Filed Sept. 22, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 II n m S .1 N u T N M I r-- C rllllilllllllrllllllllnilllll l Wm 1 1 |.|.u L l N A u u n ma u LL l n AA. a m u n Y M B n n J n ON m h\ F FL L. l A

' March 20, 1945. A. c. LIND ETAL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING Original Filed Sept. 22; 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 DTUE INVENTORS ALVIN .0. LIN D BY Z ALEXANDER GARLIN I A 0%EY'5 March 20, 1945. A, c. LIND ETAL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING Original Filed Sept. 22, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 ill INVENTORS ALVIN cum) ALEXANDER CARLIN WWRNEYS I March 20, 1945. 3. INE) ETAL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING Original Filed Sept. 22, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTQRS ALVIN 0.1.m0

ALEXANDER GARLIN AQaJy W ATTORNEYS March 20,1945. A. c. LIND ETAL 2,372,097 APPARATUSFOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING I Original Filed Sept. 22, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I FIG. l7.

FIG. l8.

ALVIN.C.LIND By ALEXANDER CARLIN ATTORNE YS March 20, 1945. A. c. LIND ET AL APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Sept. 22

INVENTORS ALVIN G. LIND BY ALEXANDER CARLIN W i ATTORNEY March 20; 1945. A, c. LIND ETAL 2,372,097

' APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRIM MOLDING Original Filed Sept. 22. 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIGJO.

F I61 I.

FIGJS.

FIGJG.

INVENTORS ALWN (LUND' WLEXANDER CARLIN i sure to cause the fastening elements to Patented Mar. 20, 1945 APPARATUS APPLYING TRIM MOLDING Alvin C. Lind and Alexander Carlin, Detroit,

Mich, assignors to National Automotive Fibres, 1110., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Original application September-22, 1941, Serial 1 Divided and this application March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,958 9 Claims. (01. 153-1) The present invention relates to molding, and more particularly to apparatus for applying decorative trim molding such as is employed on trim panels in automotive vehicles.

This application is a division of our copending application, Serial No. 411,940, filed September 22, 1941, now Patent No. 2,362,909. The stapling mechanism illustrated in this application is embodied in a divisional application of Alvin C. Lind for stapling mechanism, filed September 8, 1942, bearing Serial No. 457,666;

Heretofore, a decorative efiect has been imparted to interior trim panels, particularly of automotive vehicles, by providing a bead or molding strip which generally extends across the trim panel, but which may extend overany portion thereof in any desired direction. In the past these trim molding have for the most part been formed of a bright metal, or have been chromium plated. In the past, two general typ s of molding strips have been employed. In one a base strip, having flanges extending along the side, was secured to the panel board in any desired manner, after which a finishing cover strip was snapped over the flanges of the base strip. This type is open to the objection that it has proved impossible to provide a sufflciently secure interlock between the cover strip and the base strip and still retain the snap-on feature. a

-As an alternative of this type, it has been proposed in the past to provide a cover strip which, instead of snapping on, i slid on from one end 01' the base strip. This type is open to the serious objection that it is impossible to provide finished ends on the cover strip and still preserve the feature of sliding the cover strip on to a base strip.

The second typ which has previously been employed, comprises a unitary finished article which is attached asa unit to the trim panel. This type may be made in several ways, one of which is to provide fastening elements directly on the inside of themolding. Another mode-of making this second type of molding strip was to provide separate base strips and cover strips and to assemble the same prior to attaching the base strip to the trim panel. This type of molding strip is open to the objection that opening must be formed in the trim panel for the reception of the fastening elements. carried by the molding strip, or, as an alternative, the exterior surface of the molding strip must be subjected to a blow or severe prespenetrate thetrim panel. I

We have devised a new molding stri and apparatus for assembling the same with a. trim panel. Briefly described, our invention comprises a base strip having laterally extending flanges. and a cover strip which is first adapted to be engaged with the base strip in registry therewith, and is then subjected to a rolling operation which bends flanges of the cover strip inwardly under the flanges of the base strip, so as to provide a definite and positive interlock between the parts.

According to the preferred'embodiment of our invention the assembly of the trim panel and molding strip elements is carried out on an assembly line. The trim panels areadvanced by means of conveyors underneath guides. The base strips are brought into engagement with the guides and are advanced through them, thereby V aligning the base strip with great accuracy on the desired portion of the trim panels desired. As the base strips and the trim panels are continuously advanced, the base strips pass beneath a stapling device, or equivalent securing means, which locks the base strips to the trim panels. As the, trim panel with the now permanently attached base strip advances further along the assembly line, the operator places the cover strip in registering relation over the base strip. Preferably the cover strip is formed so as to have a light snap-on engagement with the base strip. As the assembly continues to advance, the cover strip passes beneath a roller which is adapted to force the cover strip firmly down over the base strip. Immediately afterwards the cover strip passes past one, or between two or more oppositely directed rollers having flanges formed thereon which are adapted to force and permanently bend the flanges of the cover strip underneath the laterally extending flange of the base strip. so as to provide a permanent and positive interlock.

By practicing the present invention, it is possible to form the cover strips in a continuous manner from the strip stock in whichthe material is cutlofi at the desired length, and the cut-off means may be adapted to form the end of the cover strip to a desirable conformation. Normally, it is desired to have the ends of the cover strips closed and smoothly rounded. The assembly with the trim panel is greatly facilitated, and the molding strips are applied with absolute uniformity, and with great rapidity In addition. the number of-operators required to apply the molding strips to the trim panels is reduced, particularly when it is recalled that in some previous methods the base strip and the molding strip were secured together prior to attachment, thereby requiring separate operation and separate operators.

With the foregoing general description in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trim panel with a molding strip of any design.

It is a further objectof the invention to'provide novel apparatus for carrying out the method described.

Other objects of the invention :will beapparent as the description proceeds, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying "drawings, wherein:

Figures 1a and lb together'forma'side' elevation of the apparatus employed;

Figure 2 is a fragmentaryisection'ion the line 2-'2, Figure 1?);

Figure 3 is a Vertical cross sectional View through the structure in Figure la;

F;gure 3a is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the guiderlifl, :bracketwllfi andaassooiated parts, andshowing inssectionn portion of the trim ipanel P between; the guide flfl -andzroller 841carried by thebracket;

Figure 4 is :a-section on the line 4-4,:F.igure 21b;

Figure 5 .is a detail "view taken at the arrow 5, Figure 4;

Figure 6sis a detailview'takenat the-arrow G-vin Figure 4;

. Figure '7 is a detail --view,1looking :in: the-direction of the-arrow l-inFigureA;

Figure '8 isv an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of oneof the-rollers .25 andiassociatedmarts illustrated in Figure 1a;

Figure 9 is .aneelevation of 'a :trim panel providedwith the decorative molding ofthe typ sescribed;

-.Figur.e .10 'iS a vertical 'cross sectional view through. atrim panel and .baseistrip-before being stapled-together;

Figure .11 is .a viewlsirnilar to Figure lflsafter the parts have heenstapedtogether;

Figure -12 .is a vertical .cross sectional view throughan assembled .trim v panel .andlbase .strip and showing the initial position of .a cover strip relative tothebase strip;

Figure '13 is a view similar .toFigure 12 after the cover .striphas been pressed down over .the base strip;

Figure. 14 is a view similar tolFigure I2 after .the side flanges of the coverstrip .have been pressed inwardlybeneath the outwar'dlyprojacting-lateral flanges of the base strip;

Figure 15 is afragmentary section through one end of the molding strip, illustrating thisconstruction;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary"section'through a molding strip illustrating "a somewhat different embodiment "of our invention;

Figure 17' is an elevational View with parts broken away and in section of the center piece of the structure illustrated in Figure'la;

Figure 18 is an enlargedelevational view with parts broken away and in section of "the rollers "53, I 54 'andassociatedparts;

Figure 19 is a 'more'or'less diagrammatimsectional view illustrating a preferredform of the invention, in .which'the flanges of -the cover strip. are providedwith shallow grooves; and

Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional"view-showin the interlock provided by the groove in'th e cover strip.

The :apparatus which 'we'employ fora'ssembling the molding :strips :on ithe :trim "panels comprises an elongated table :I 0 supported by a plurality of legs I I and including cross pieces l2, all assembled together in an obvious manner to provide a rigid elongated supporting table.

Feeding mechanism .ICarried by thettable llLadja'cent the ends thereof, are sprockets l3 and M, over which passes a chain I5, the construction of which is best seen in Fi'gure 4. The chain comprises a plurality of links.

member 20 whichruns the entire length of the i .tableand-.whicnincludes a bar 2! (Figure 4) upon which rollers-:22 are' adapted to ride.

vLlhe fchain L5 :is provided at each side of the table and is adapted to engage the trim panels fed'along'adjacent the edges thereof.

.In order to force the trim panels positively into engagement'with the :sharp pointed .pins ll, We provide arplurality of pressure rollers and 2B, which are engageable with the upper side of the trimy panelsand causethe latter to-befirinlyengaged by thetpins'fl and thereby positively advanced-bythe chain [5.

Referring particularly to :Figure :6, the roller 25 ismounted on a link 30 which, in turn, is pivoted to a bracket 3|, asin'dicated at 32. The link-3B has at one end an upstanding .arm :33 provided with :azcentering ,stud 34. Secured to the frame ofthemachinezisacooperating member 35 having atsecond. centerin-gstud .36. :A compression spring 3:7 is sleeved .on the studs Blend .36 andi'urges the roller :25 rdownwardly :intoa-engagement with the upper :surface of each trim panel adjacent the edges Lthereof. In :order to'prevent downward movement of. the rrolleri 2 Sbeyond a rpredetermin ed point, @the .linki3usis. provided with an adjustable stop bolt :38; whichiszadaptedtto engage portion of the supporting angle iron 3'9, *as seen in Figure 6.

.As best zseen-inrFigure 5, the roller 2E is carried by the link '40 which is "pivoted to "brackets ll mounted nn'angleirons 42. The zspring'means for biasing the-"rolleriii-downwardly into engagement with the trinrpaneltcomprisesa stud iii'mounted on the link 40 and a second stud 44 mounted on angle iron :42. A. tension spring "45 interconnects studs 43and 44- and urge 'link 30 downwardly. Inorder to limit :downw-ardmovemen't of the link 40,-an adjustable stop bolt 'dfifis provide'd'on the link 40, and'is adapted 'toengage the top or" the supporting angle" iron 42.

Rollers- 2:5 and -2-6,'(Figure 4) are preferably provided with yieldable surfaces 41 of fibrous'material'orrubber.

.A rmotor and speed reducer assembly 5i] is mounted on e. plate 5| and is adapted to rotate a driving 'ispro'cket .52. The sprocket 52 drives a chain" 5-3 which, inturn. drivesa sprocketM'keyed orotherwise secured to oneparttfi of a clutch assembly, the 'part 55 being loosely mounted for rotation'on' the shaft 56. Keyed or otherwise secured to' the shaft '56 is a coope'rating portion 57 of the clutch assembly adapted to be energized and dc-energized by "a solenoid EB "having an actuatingielementtl (Figure lb) connected to a yoke '62 pivoted sat 63"to a'bracket 6d. The yoke 62 "has openings which receive ears on the shifter'member 66 for the portionlil of'the clutch assembly.

The shaft 56 is journaled in block 10, "ii and carries :at one *endthereof in keyed relation, a

driving sprocket 12. Achain 13 is reeved on the driving sprocket 12 and on a sprocket 1-4 keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 15, which also carries in keyed relation the driving sprocket I4 previ ously referred to.

I As seen in Figures la and 3, we provide a uide 80 for the base portions I83 oi the molding strips.

Preferably this guide 89 is carried by a bracket 8I that is adjustable transverselyof the conveyor in a slot 82 formed in a supporting bar 83. This permits adjustment of the guide 80 so as to apply th base strip to the location desired upon the trim panel. Directly beneath the guide 80 i a roller 84 (Figure 1a) mounted on a member 85 pivoted to a supporting bracket 86, as indicated at 81. A compression spring 88 is located between a stud 89 formed on the member 85 and a stud 90 formed on the bracket -86, and biases the roller 84 upwardly into en agement with the underside of the trim panels P. Upward movement of the roller 84 under the influence of the spring 88 is limitedby an adjustable stop bolt 9I carried by the'bracket 8G and engageable with the member 85. The bracket 35 is adjustable lengthwise of a transversely extending bar 95 (Figures 1a and 3), suitable means for this purpose bein indicated generally at 92, and including a clamping plate 93 and clamping bolt 94 adapted to lock bracket 86 in adjusted position relative to said bar 95 when the clamping bolt is tightened.

The underside of the guide fill has an inverted channel shaped recess 80a, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures la and 3 for directing the base strips I83 properly relative to the trim panel P a they advance. Preferably the receiving end of the inverted channel 80a is flared to facilitate the insertion of the base strips into said channel, while the base of the inverted channelinclines downwardly from the receiving end thereof toexposed condition. At this time the operator takes the channel shaped cover strip I90 (Figs. -44) and places them in inverted position over the base strips I 83 as illustrated in Fig. 12. As previously stated, these cover strips are preferably so formed as to have a light snap-on engagement with the base strips, although this is not strictly necessary. The cover strips are complete in that their ends are formed and closed to the desired configuration, which would prevent sliding a cover strip on from one'end of a base strip.

The mechan sm for providing'the positive interlock between the cover strip and the base strip is seen in'F'igures lb, 4 and 7. As seen in Figure 4, posts I50 are mounted on the table and carry between them a cross piece I5I. Adjustably mount ed on the cross piece I5I is the roller head I52, which carries a pair of rollers I53 and I54. In Figure 4 the roller I54 is sectioned to show the mounting thereof, and it will be understood that the mounting of the roller I53 is identical. Roller I-54'is mounted on a spindle I 55 which is adjustable in a T-slot I55. An abutment screw I51 is provided which engages the head of the spindle I55. Suitable bearings indicated generally at I58 are provided for insuring free rotation of the rollers I53 and I54. The rollers I53 and I54 are each provided with an accurately shaped periphery, in-

eluding a lip I60 which is adapted to bend the downwardly projecting side flangesISI of the inverted channel shaped cover strip under the outwardly projecting inverted substantially L-shaped flanges I86 of the base strip. The force necessary to bend the flanges I9I of the cover strip I90 underneath the flanges I of the base strip I83 is developed by forcing the trim panel and molding strip assembly, past the rollers, thereby imparting rotation to the rollers.

The cover strip I i adapted to be engaged and forced downwardly upon the base strip I83 from the position in Figure 12 to the position in Figure 13 by a roller I'e0, which has its periphery shaped as indicated at I10 to correspond to the contour of the cover strip just prior to engagement of the cover strip by the forming rollers 55 and I54. The roller I10 is carried by abracket I1I which is. vertically adjustable on the roller head I52. A clamping bolt I12 and an adjustable bolt I13 are provided to hold the bracket I19 in adjusted position relative to said head I52.

As best seen in Figure lb, a roller I15 is provided directly beneath the roller I10 to engage the underside of the trim panel P and. to support the same while the roller I10 forces the cover strip down onthe base strip. In like manner, the second roller I16 is provided to engage the underside of the panel directly beneath the rolls I53 and I54, so as to hold the trim panel, base strip and cover strip up into firmengagement with the forming rolls I53 and I54.

As will be evident, forming rolls I53 and IE4 roll or clamp the flanges I9! of the cover strip underneath the outwardly extending flanges I86 of the base strip I83, o as to provide a permanent interlock. At the same time this permanent interlock is provided without injury to the preferably brightly finished surface of the cover strip.

Reference is now made to Figures 9 to- 15. In Figure 9 we have illustrated a trim panel P, which maybe of usual type. Trim panel of this type are normally made by covering a fibrou panel board with padding material, and thereafter covering the padding material with a trim fabric Which'is adhered at its edges to the rear of the panel board. In order to impart a decorative effect to the trim panel P the molding strip assembly I8I i provided, and in Figure 9 we have shown a single one of such strips secured horizontally acrosssubstantially the entire width of the trim panel. It will be observed in Figure 9 that the ends of the molding strip assembly are rounded off, as indicated at I82. In Figures 10 to 14 we have indicated successive steps in the assembly of the molding strip on a trim panel P. In Figure 10 we have shown the trim panel P as having a base strip I83 positioned thereon. The base strip I83 has a fiat central web I84 and outwardly diverging flanges I85 t rminating in dowm wardly and outwardly inclined flange portions I 86.

.In Figure 11 we have shown the base strip I83 secured to the. trim panel P by suitable means such as wire staples or stitches I81.

In Figure 12 the cover strip I90 is in its initial position on the base strip I83. As previously stated, the cover strip I90 is provided with downwardly and slightly inwardly inclined flanges I0 I, the arrangement being such with relation to the flange portions I86 of the base strip I83 that the cover strip I90 has a light snap-on engagement therewith. It is only necessary to provide a temporary inter-engagement between these parts, pending the subsequent provision of the permanent interlock. The operator may if desired force the cover strip '.:l&Didownwardly, asrshown inli'igure 13, or thisioperationtmay.ifdesiredxbeperformed by the :froll 110 previously referred "to. The next stepin :the operation: is the bending :or rolling of the lflanges l 9 l :at. least partiallyunder the flange iiportions I86 of the :base .strip 183. Figure 14 :shows the arrangement of .moldingfelements after this step has been completed.

In Figure l wehave indicatedaifragmentary longitudinal section through'a moldingstrip made in accordance with the present invention. :In this flgure'the trim panel Rhas the .baseiistrip [.83 stapled thereto,'as indicated at 181, and the cover strip ISO is secured in place. As seen inlFigurelB, the coverstrip lsllzhas its end :rounded offiand closed, as indicatedby the numeral I92.

. By practicing the presentinvention: it: is "possible to iemploya base strip of 'a relatively inexpensive material, and to employ'a .light gauge cover strip formed of ammo expensive metal .if desired. At thesame time, it will be appreciated that the cover strip need not necessarily be .of metal, but n'eedzonly be of .a sheet material which is adapted to take arpermanent 'set asxa result of the molding operation. Thus for example, cover strips formed "from certain plastics are suitable.

In Figure 16 we have shown a trim panel LP having a base: strip 200' formed :of 'metaland'provided with upstanding :flanges 20!. The ..cover strip 202 isiformed from a lastic oriother suitable material, and its .COIIIEIST'EIG :formed soras tOZfit under the flanges 2M of the :base :strip 200. :It will be appreciated in :this .case :the locking-engagement between the .base strip 200 and cover strip :2ll2 depends upon rollin the flanges 12M of the base strip over the 'corn ers'of .the cover strip 202. In Figure l6'the moldingwstripilllis solid, but it will be appreciated that thersame may i be hollow or downwardly concave if desired.

In the foregoing description a disclosure has been made of a'pairiof opposed, cooperatingirollersfor bending therflanges of the cover stripdown under .the flanges :of 'the base strip. It will be apparent that in some cases the cover *strip:may be initially formed with an 'inturned flange'ith'at may be engaged directly beneath the'corresponding flange of the base.strip,'in which case itwill only be necessary to roll the :otherflangeio'f the cover strip under theadjacent flange of the :base strip.

In Figures 19 and 20 we have illustrated 'a 'preferred embodiment 'of the invention, which will now :be briefly "described. .Acc'ordin' to this embodiment of the invention the "cover strip 215 is provided with grooves .216 along its innercsurface at aboutthe point whereithe innerrsurface of the cover strip" 219 *will engage a corner 'of the base strip. This, serves two functions. In the first place, it weakens the cover strip 121530 thatwhen pressure is applied'by'the roller theflange of the cover strip will be bent inwardly along the 1 line of weakness, "thus providing a more definite interlock. At the same timegthe groove'thusrprovided may interfit and engage'withthe "corner of the flange of the'base'strip.

In Figures 19 an'd'20we have shown a-somewhat different form of base strip 219, whose function is identical With'thatpreviously described.

In Figures 19'an'd 20 the cover strip 215 is provided at the corner 2150, with "a longitudinally extending groove'216 which is' adapted to receive the outer free'edge 211 of the upwardly and outwardly extendingflange 218 of the base strip 219. During the rolling operation, the downwardly extending flange 2800f the cover strip 21 5 'is'moved mavens? from :the full line position of Figure .19 :tothe dotted .line position thereof. Due .totthe groove 216*whichprovides a line of weakness,1the.ben'ding of the :fiange 280 .to the dotted .line position is concentrated substantially along the line of groove 216. Furthermore, the groove 216 :receives the free edge 21'! of the base strip, as best seen in Figure120, so that an interlockingzrelation between the cover strip 275 and base strip 219 is obtained.

The material of the cover strip 215 is preferably sheetrnetal, hence the groove 276 will be very shallow. By way of, example, excellent results are obtained when the grooves 216 are approximatelyequal in depth to half the thickness of the material of the cover strip.

While of course the broad invention maybe carried out without providing these shallow grooves or lines of weakness, we have found that a 'much more satisfactory product is obtained when these lines of weakness are provided.

While we have described in considerable detail the specific apparatu for applying molding strips to trim panels, it will be understood that this has been done solelyto enable those skilled in the art topractice the present invention, the scope :of which'is indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. Apparatus for interlocking depending side flanges of an upper inverted .channel shaped molding strip to lateral flanges of a lower channel shaped base strip, comprising a solid supporting head having a 'substantially V shaped portion and-provided in advance of said V shaped portion with an upright portion, a bracket slidably mounted on said upright portion, a roller .carried by said bracket and having means .operable as the-strips aforesaid are advanced in superposed relation on a suitable support relative to said head to press the channel shaped molding strip downwardly upon the base strip so that the side flanges of the molding strip will straddle the lateral flangesof the base strip, spindles projecting at substantially right angles .from and slidably I mounted on the inclined sides of the V shaped portion, and rollers mounted on said spindles and having means operable as the strips aforesaid are advanced in straddling relation on :said support relative to said head to bend the side flanges of the molding strip inwardly under the lateral flanges of the base strip to provide an interlock between the parts.

2. Apparatus for interlocking depending side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped molding strip to lateral flanges of a lower channel shaped base strip, comprising a solid supporting head having a substantially V shaped portion and provided in advance of said'V shaped portion with an upright portion, means adjustably mounted on the upright portion and operable as the-strips are advanced in superposed relation on a suitable support relative to said head to press the channel shaped molding strip downwardly upon the-base strip so'that the'side flanges of the molding strip will :straddle the lateral flanges of the base strip, and cooperating means adjustably mounted on the inclined sides of the V shaped portion and operable as the strips are advanced in :straddling relation on said support relative to said head to bend the side flanges of the molding strip inwardly under the lateral flanges of the base strip to provide an interlock between the parts.

'3. Apparatus for bending depending substantially parallel "side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped cover-strip under laterally pro- 7 jecting flanges of a lower substantially channel shaped base strip to provide an interlock between the parts, comprising a supporting head having downwardly converging sides and provided in advance, of said converging sides with an upright side, said converging sides being provided with downwardly extending slots, headed spindles projecting laterally outward from said downwardly converging sides, the heads of said spindles being adjustable lengthwise of said slots, means on the upright side of said supporting head operable when said strips are advanced in superposedrelation on a suitable support relative to said supporting head to press the cover strip downwardly upon the base strip to positionthe depending side flanges of the cover strip in straddling relation beside the lateral flanges of the base strip,means operable whenthe strips are advanced in straddling relation on said supporting support relative to said head to bend the'depending flanges of the cover strip into interlocking relation with the lateral flanges ofthe base strip,including cooperating rollers rotatably mounted on said spindles and having shaped peripheries including lips engageable with the depending side flanges of the cover'strip, andmeans'for adjusting the cooperating rollers relative to each other, including screws threadedly engaging said supporting head and bearing against the heads of said spindles.

4. Apparatus for interlocking depending side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped molding strip to lateral flanges of a lower channel shaped base strip, comprising a supporting head having inclined surfaces disposed at substantially right angles to each other, spindles projecting outwardly from, and disposed at substantially right angles to said surfaces, a pair of cooperating rollers mounted on said spindles and disposed substantially parallel to said inclined surfaces, the peripheries oi said rollers being spaced apart below said head, and a single upright roller carried by said head in advance of said cooperating rollers and having its periphery substantially in horizontal alignment with the space aforesaid between the cooperating rollers, the periphery of the single roller having means operable as the strips aforesaid are advanced in superposed relation upon a suitable support relative to said head to press the channel shaped molding strip down upon the base strip so that the side flanges of the molding strip will straddle the lateral flanges of the base strip, the peripheries of said cooperating rollers having means operable as the strips aforesaid are advanced in straddling relation upon said support relative to said head to bend the side flanges of the molding strip inwardly under the lateral flanges of the base strip to provide an interlock between the parts, the single roller being adjustable vertically on said head, the cooperating rollers being adjustable on said head in planes substantially parallel to said inclined surfaces.

5. Apparatus for bending depending substantially parallel side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped cover strip under laterally projecting flanges of a lower substantially channel shaped base strip to provide an interlock between the parts, comprising a supporting head having downwardly converging sides and provided in advance of said converging sides with an upright side, spindles projecting laterally outward from and adjustably mounted on said downwardly converging sides, a bracket on the upright side ofsaid supporting head, means carried by said bracket and operable when said strips are advanced in superposed relation on a suitable support relative to said supporting head to press the cover strip downwardly upon the base strip to position the depending side flanges of the cover strip in straddling relation beside the lateral flanges of the base strip, cooperating rollers carried by said spindles and operable when the strips are advanced in straddling relation on said support relative to said supporting head to bend the depending flanges of the cover strip into interlocking relation with the lateral flanges of the base strip, and means carried by said supporting head and engageable with said spindles for adlusting the cooperating rollers relative to each other."-

6. 'Apparatus for bending'depending substantially parallel side flanges of an upper invertedv channel shaped cover strip under laterally projecting flanges of a lower substantially channel to press the cover strip downwardly upon the base strip to position the depending side flanges of the cover strip in straddling relation beside the lateral flanges oi the base strip, and cooperating rollers carried by said spindles and operable when the strips are advanced in straddling relation upon said support relative to said supporting head to bend the depending flanges of the cover strip into interlocking relation with the lateral flanges of the base strip. 7

7. Apparatus for bending depending substantially parallel side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped cover strip under laterally pro- .iecting flanges of a lower substantially channel shaped base strip to provide an interlock between the parts, comprising a supportnig head having downwardly converging sides and provided in advance of said converging sides with an upright side, said converging sides being provided with downwardly extending slots, headed spindles projecting laterally outward from said downwardly converging sides, the heads of said spindles being adjustable lengthwise of said slots, means on the upright side of said supporting head operable when said strips are advanced in superposed relation on a suitable support relative to said supporting head to press the cover strip downwardly upon thebase strip to position the depending side flanges of the cover strip in straddling relation beside the lateral flanges of the base strip, and means operable when the strips are advanced in straddling relation on said support relative to said supporting head to bend the depending flanges of the cover strip into interlocking relation with the lateral flanges of the base strip, including cooperating rollers rotatably mounted on said spindles and having shaped, peripheries engageable with the depending side flanges of the cover strip. i

8. Apparatus for interlocking depending side flanges of an upper inverted channel shaped molding strip to lateral flanges of a lower channel shaped base strip, comprising a supporting head having inclined surfaces, disposed. at: substantially right. angles to each other; spindles projecting. outwardly from and disposed: at." substantially right; anglestosaidt surfaces, 2; pair. of cooperating rollers mounted on said spindles-and disposed substantially. parallel to said inclined surfaces, the. peripheries. of said rollers:- being spaced apart below. said head, abracket carried by said head. in. advance of; said. cooperating rollers, anda single;rol1er.-carried by saidbracket and having its, peripheryg'substantially in horizontal alignment with the space: aforesaid be tween the cooperating; rollers; theperiphery of the single rollerhaving means; operable: as the strips. aforesaid. are: advanced in. superposed re.- lation upon. a: suitablesupport. relative to said head to press the channel shaped molding strip down upon the. base strip sq-that thesidefianges of the. molding strip. will. straddle the lateral flangesof the base. strip the. peripheries; of; said cooperating rollers. having means operable as the strips aforesaid are advancedin straddlingrelation upon. said support relative to .said; 1163411120 bend the. side flangesof the moldingstrip inward-.- ly under. the lateral, flanges; of the; base.- strip; to provide aninterlockbetween the parts.

9. Apparatus, for bending depending substantially' parallel side flanges ofan' upper inverted channel shaped. cover-strip under laterally projecting flanges; of a, lower substantially channel shaped base strip'to providean interlock between the parts, comprising a supporting headhaving downwardly converging-sidessand provided in ad- Vance: of said converging; sides with: an upright side, spindles projectinglaterallyoutward from said, downwardly converging sides, a bracket mounted" on the. upright side. of said supporting head; meansqcarriedaby saidbracket and operable when said strips areadvancedin superposed relation on asuitable support relative tosaid supportinghead to-presstthecover strip downwardly upon the base strip-to position the depending side flanges of. the cover strip. in straddling relation besidethe lateral flangessotthe. base strip, and

cooperating rollerscarriedbysaid spindlesiinsubstantially parallel. relation. to said converging sides andoperable whenthe strips areadvanced in straddling relation upon said support relative tosaid supporting head tobend the depending flanges of the cover strip. into interlocking relationv with thelateralflanges of the base, strip.

ALVIN. C. LIND. ALIEIXANDERv CARLIN. 

